Luis Alejandro Salas

Luis Alejandro Salas is an Associate Professor of Classics and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His work focuses on Greek and Roman medicine, philosophy, and intellectual history, particularly the interplay between philosophical ideas and medical practices in antiquity. He holds a PhD in Classics and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin's Joint Program in Ancient Philosophy.

Salas' research emphasizes Galen of Pergamum’s anatomical experiments and their role in medical polemics, as detailed in his 2020 book Cutting Words. He explores how Galen's written experiments functioned as intellectual tools within second-century Roman high culture. His recent projects include studies on prehension in comparative anatomy and Galen’s use of Rufus of Ephesus in debates over the body’s control center (hegemonikon).

• Education: PhD in Classics and MA in Philosophy (University of Texas at Austin)
• Professional Roles: Associate Editor of APEIRON (history of science/philosophy journal)

His research bridges ancient medical practices with broader philosophical discourse, contributing to contemporary understandings of how intellectual history shapes medical theory. Current projects highlight Galen’s engagement with Aristotelian psychology and Stoic-Peripatetic debates through anatomical studies.